Wife and daughter of slain Kaduna Anglican priest regain freedom after captivity
The wife and daughter of the late Anglican priest Venerable Edwin Achi have regained their freedom after more than two months in the hands of abductors in Kaduna State, bringing relief to relatives and church members who had been praying for their safe return. The family members were kidnapped along with the clergyman on October 28, 2025, when gunmen stormed their home in the Nissi community of Chikun Local Government Area, demanding a large ransom for their release. The abductors initially set a ransom of ₦600 million, later reducing it to a smaller amount, but the priest was tragically killed during captivity before his wife and daughter were freed.
The release was confirmed on January 16, 2026, by a family source who said that Sarah Achi and her daughter were freed on Thursday night and are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital. The circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, with no official statement yet from security agencies or church authorities about whether a ransom was paid or if the liberation resulted from negotiation or rescue action.
The abduction and subsequent death of the priest had drawn widespread concern across Nigeria, highlighting the persistent threat posed by armed groups in parts of the north and triggering calls for stronger security measures to protect communities and prevent further kidnappings. The safe return of his wife and daughter has given some comfort amid a tragic situation that has deeply affected the Anglican community and the broader public.
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